Nigeria: Police Arrest, Detain ‘Miracle Child-Birth’ Woman

Ishola Balogun

22 June 2011

Lagos — EMBATTLED Precious Donatus Ogbonna, the woman who claimed to have given birth to seven babies in one year was, yesterday, detained by the police in Owerri, Imo State.

Vanguard also learnt that the seven kids have been taken to a motherless babies home in the town.

Sources told Vanguard that the Police stormed the house of the ‘miracle babies’ woman at Irete, Owerri, Monday evening and took her away to the State Police CID, opposite Government House, Owerri, for interrogation.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Imo State Command, Mr. Linus Nwaiwu, confirmed the arrest to Vanguard saying the woman was invited for questioning.

Mrs. Ogbonna had earlier told Vanguard that her husband had abandoned their home and disclaimed the paternity of the babies.

She said: “He has not come home. He abandoned me and claims that he is not the father of the babies but I know only DNA test can convince him and bring him back.”

Mr. Ogbonna has been avoiding the press even when Vanguard was in Owerri to hear his side of the story.

A close friend of the controversial woman, Mrs. Evan-Ibeh Florence, who earlier hinted Vanguard of Mrs Ogbonna’s arrest said that she was instrumental to her friend’s visit to Lagos some weeks back which marked the beginning of her ordeal.

Assistance from Nigerians

She said she did not know that bringing her to the public glare through the press would create problem for her friend, adding: “I never knew it would turn out this way for her, all I wanted was to get assistance from good spirited Nigerians for her through the press.”

At press time, Mrs. Ogbonna was still in detention at the state CID, Owerri, and all attempts to reach her on phone proved abortive.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Ibe told Vanguard that a DNA test has already been conducted and that the result was being awaited. She said that a popular TV presenter in Lagos was instrumental to carrying out the test, adding that the result would be ready soon to vindicate her friend.

Mrs. Ibe said: “I just hope the result comes soon to prove her story because I know she couldn’t have stolen the babies. They did the test some weeks ago and we are still expecting the result from South Africa.

“They did it for six babies about three weeks ago, the seventh baby was done recently because they did not bring along the birth certificate with them initially.”

AllAfrica – All the Time